Retailers in Hinckley are campaigning for better car parking provision at the top of town.

Members of the Hinckley and District Chamber of Trade have launched a petition calling on the borough council to take action.

They say the closure of the Co-op car park - the only one of a reasonable size in the area - has resulted in a drop in trade as customers have nowhere near to leave their vehicles.

Rosemary Wright, president of the chamber, said the situation needed to resolved urgently. “We are told that it will not be a “quick fix” but some of our members do not have time to wait for a long term action plan as the effect of no parking at the top of the town could result in the town centre either relocating to the bottom of the hill or old established businesses deciding to give up.

“One of the strengths of this town is the diversity of its independent retailers and that should be protected vigorously.”

Premises in Upper Castle Street, New Buildings, The Lawns and Hill Street are all concerned for the future.

Theresa Ellingworth, who runs Betty Ann womenswear, said: “We have always been concerned that the main car park at the top of the town was privately owned but we did not realise how important it was to our businesses and to our customers until we lost it. We are extremely worried about the effect the lack of parking is already having on our businesses and how quickly it has happened.”

The Co-op car park

Another retailer, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is rather galling that we hear of ‘sweeteners’ going to get big names into The Crescent and yet our businesses at the top of town have no car park.

“Many of us have been here for years paying rates etc and we think it only fair that we have a reasonable car park for our customers.”

While recognising why the borough council have offered incentives to make The Crescent a commercial success, Mrs Wright said facilities should be shared equally.

She added: “Areas cannot be isolated, they are part of a cohesive town centre and facilities such as parking should be as fairly distributed as possible.”

Anyone who wishes to support the traders can sign copies of the petition in local stores.